Sunderland Academy boss defends school after Ofsted place it in special measures

Redby Primary Academy, Fulwell Road, Sunderland.

A HEADTEACHER has defended her primary school after inspectors put it into special measures.

Redby Academy was judged as good with outstanding features when Ofsted last visited, but has now said it is inadequate.

One parent said they may move their youngsters to another school and are furious at what they believe are falling standards.

While bosses at the Leeds Street school say they are devastated, they claim the report only takes into account a two-day snapshot of its work.

Its recent SATs results were its best ever, with a host of improvements made and advisors brought in.

Headteacher Val Shield, said: “Obviously we are disappointed with the report, but we will come out of this a better, stronger school and what we need is parents to support us while we’re doing that.

“We’ve had so many letters and messages of support from parents. The vast majority who have read the report have said it is not the school they know and that is really nice to hear.

“At our last inspection in 2010 we were graded as good with outstanding features, so it was devastating for all the staff to be told we were not providing a good education for our children.

“Even though the judgement is very disappointing we will accept the challenge, and are confident that we can regain our previous grading of good within a year, and, indeed, in the long term, aspire to the top grade of outstanding.”

The last SATs results showed 91 per cent of pupils achieved the national average of level four or above in literacy and 96 per cent in maths, with many making better-than-expected progress.

A mum, who did not wish to be named, said the report made her consider removing her children.

She said: “I’m absolutely furious. It used to be a very, very good school and we just feel, as parents, the school has changed dramatically in the last couple of years.”